Terson



Sept. 25 1923. 1,468,966

c. F. HERINGTON PULVERIZED FUEL FEEDING AND DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS FiledSept. 14. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 SHFETY l/E/VT' COLLEC7'GH 2 BY-PflSSPIPE 13 570/5765 BIN 4 0 13 4 5 0 E Com L W R COMM/Fr CONTROL 7Vflfi/ABLE SPEED 0107M 500 no PIPE A 9 [I FUR/V as M An/ans All INVENTORSept. 25,1923. 6 1,468,966

C. F. HERINGTON PULVERIZED FUEL FEEDING AND DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS FiledSept. 14. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 W, 455M144; a m/11h Fatentecl Eept.25, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CECIL F. HERINGTON, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIG-IQ'OR TO HEYL &PAT- TERSON, INC., 011" PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OFPENNSYL- VANIA.

PULVERIZED-FUEL FEEDING AND DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

Application filed September 14, 1922.

Be it known that I, CECIL F. HniuNo'ror-r, a citizen the United States,resisting at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania. have invented a new and useful Improvement in ulverizedFuel Feeding and liistributiug Apparatus, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates broadly to pulverized fuel handling sytcms, andinore particularly to means for effecting with such systems afuel teed re 'ulatecl. in accordance with demands upon the system.

it has heretotore been proposed to provide systems of this characterhaving a lain circulating or distributing and return line adapted tosupply a plui lity ot dill'crent fuel-coo ing devi e1 iii a mixture oi iulverieecl fuel and air. In certain 02'' these sysenis there has beenprovided means dependent upon variations in the density oi the fluid andfuel \vitl'iiu such line to;- effecting a regulation of the amount fuel"fed to the line whereby the iced ])ro portioual to the demands upon thesyste, n. This has been accomgiilishcd in some cases by the use of abody oi Water and a float, changes in the density Within the line girdducine clump "es in the water level which 1 to an were in turntransmitted by the Float e ectric controller ol suitable constructionthich systems have been objectionable not- .c c b one einbodiuieut oi?the *sczit invention it lacing; understood that he drui'viu, s do notdefine the limits of this invention e1 ihat clum s may be made i: the I.on on rd sclosed ther n fithout deuars' from the spirit or scope of mybroseer claims.

Serial No. 533,237.

In the drawings Figure l is a diagrammatic view illustrating one form ofpulverized fuel handling system; and

Figure 2 is diagrmnuiat-ie view illust ating the electrical connectionslfor co ling the fuel "feed,

In systems of this nature it is desirable during operation to maintainsubstantially constant velocity f air for prog ielling the pulverizedfuel. This is neces ary in order to maintain the fuel suspension.Ordinarily this is accomplished by providing: a tan or blower havin thedesired characteristics. It is also advantagais to etlect a positiveregulation o!" the fuel fed to the system whereby the amount 0'? ruralwill vary the number or capacity Of the 'luelconsuming devices varies.

Referring more particularly to l l'ure l of the drawings there isillustrated one embodiment of the present invention. This may comprise acollector of suitable construction supplied with pulverized through acoal transi'iort lino as is cue ternary in the art. The illec or it hasits outlet (meretivcly connected with a storage bin 4 -for supplying;the sonic with ssary quantity of pulverized i'ucli Located at anydesired uoiut spect to the storage b n +3? a plurality iil1lCOHSlllHlIljf devices it will h vious that the cherecl'cig number a Hrangeinent ot the: devices may vary considerably and the term is used asdefinitive of any type of burner, boiler, furnace or the like adapted tobe supplied with pulrez' "l tueli For delivering; the

ineo e air may be supplied to the system to :lr(t

the demands thereu fion through Silly/e pipe 10 having a goose necl 1.1open to the atmosphere and an auxilierv connection 12 leading to theupper part of the 2 for Withdrawing dust-laden air therefrom.

incl

.blade oi the main switch distrilnitingpipe to the collector. This b Inorder to keep from overloading the system with pulverized ii'ucl, tedthereto as pointed out in detail hereinatter, urnler certainconditionsof operation, there is provided, a bypass pipe l3 leading from the passpipe may be opened to permit a continuous circulation thercthrouqh.

Directly connecting each of the incl-consuming devices with thedistributing t-ipc is a branch pipe 14:, each of which may h supply ofsecondary The i through each of the branch pipes may be sary to feedfuel to the distributing pipe,

while it all of the valves 11.5 are open it w l be necessary to feed themaximum amount of fuel to the system For effecting the fuel feed, theoutlet from the storage bin l: to the suction pipe 9 is provided with acoal controller 17 of well known construction, snch. for example asillustrated in the patent to Covert 1,197,799 of September 12th, 1916,and comprising two screw feeders combined in such way that neither canfeed independently of the other and that when at rest each seals theother against the passage of any material.

The operation of the screw feeders is adapted to be. effected by avariable speed motor 18, as illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 2.This motor is adapted to receive current from the supply line L throughone S and thence through a connection 19 and brush 20. The other brush21 has a connection 22 with the contact oi a suitable contactor switch24. This switch is normally held in open posi tion by any suitablemeans. such as a spring 25, and is connected through the wire 26 and theother blade of the switch S with the line wire L.

The contactor switch 24;

is adapted to be moved to closed position a. solenoid 2'? the solenoidbeing energized by the movement cl? any one of the valves closed to openposition.

l 5 from 'ih'is operation inay be obtained by securing to the pin 28 ofcash of the valves l5 :1 contact lever 29.

The contact levers 29 for all of the valv s are (Olllltnjflfl in serieswith each other by suitable connections as illnstratcch with the field30 of the variable speed motor through an adjustable resistance 31 andwith the contactorswltch 24. When the valves he a full field on thevariable'speed motor. l'Vith this lield the niotorwill have itsinininnnn speed while as the resistance in series with the hold isincreased the motor will attain higher speeds. ll ith'all of the valves15 in closed position the contactorswitch 2d will be in open position,whereby no fuel will he fed to the distributing pipe. If, however, oneof the valves 15 is moved toward open position, the correspondingcontact lever-.29 will be moved from the position illustrated in Figure2 to a position where it will engage one of the contacts 32 oi thecooperating resistance units. This will throw increased resistance intothe field circuit, the ainount of the resistance increasing inproportion as the valve is opened At the Sillfig time, the cont-actlever 29 so moved will close the circuit to the solenoid 2'? by reasonof the provision thereon or a'condnctor 33 carried by an insulating base34. This conductor 33 will be brought into contact with segmentalconductors 35, one of which has an electrical. connection with the linewire L", while the other has an electrical connection 3? with one sideof the solenoid 27 and thence through the connection 19 to the line wireL. As the segmental conductors 35 of each oi the switches are connectedin parah lel with the corresponding conductors of the other switches, itwill be apparent that movement of any of the valves 15 toward openposition will close the contactor switch and will throw into series withthe field As each opening n'un e'incnt of the valve.

otional valve is o 'iened, add1tional re- .lQl oi' the variable speedmotor and the speed oil rotation thereof will be comespondinglyincreased. .lhis in turn will in crease the, speed oi i'otation oi" the screw tenders in'such manner that an additionalainoinit of iuel will be l ed from the storage bin l intolhedistributing pipe.

- stance will be thrown into series with the It will be apparent thatwith a system of I this chactcr the total amount of resistance in all ofthe valve regulators when added together will be such as to give the ma;inuin speed desired from the variable speed inotor. in this manner thevariable speed ino tor may he CfHESfH 1o rotate trons minimum speed tomaximum speed in accordance with the position of the valves ior therebyit'eaidiugz' a A amount of fuel which is exactly proportnt-nal to thedemands upon th system as determined by the operation of the:i'uclwaonsm; devices. This el fects a positive control of the variablespeed motor, the change in speed occurring concomitantly with the changein the position of the valve or valves, thereby eil'ecting an immediatechange in the tnel feed.

operation, the valves 15'Will normally all be in closed position. Therewill, therefore, fuel required in the distributing pipe. no blower 7,however, will be started to arodnce the desired circulation of air, so lt upon the openii'ig of any valve 15 the fuel in suspeusion. Asadditional fuel-consuming d ovices a re placed in operation, additionairrequired to satisfy thedemands of the l|l()\'\"31 7 will be sucked inthrough the air sup fl l0 and combine Withthe airand in mg through thereturn line 8.

The provision of the independent field :neostt 3]. enables the speed ofthe variable n1 irrespective of the positions of the contact levers 29,to thereby more accurately proportion the amount of fuel to the air.

I claim:

system, a distributfed therefrom, mech;

'to said distributin said br varying the demands upon l meansautomatically operable with said notable means irrespective of thepressure sysi;

in he system for varying the amount oi fuel led by said mechanism,substantially as described.

2. In a fuel handling system, a distribo pipe, a branch pipe tedtherefrom, mechi for supplying fuel to said distributipo proportional tothe demands on the system, movable means in said branch pipe 1' tiedemands upon said system,

1 t e means 1 respective of? the pressure in the system for the amountof fuel fed by said or said movable means in one direction for saidmechanism inoperative, substantially as described.

t In 't'uel handling system, a. distributing pipe, a branch pipe fedtherefrom, meoln anism for supplying fuel to said distributpipeproportional to the demands on the stem. mo'able means in said h ir seci 1e ure 'ne st in re tve of ti ress 1n t s e led by the controller 17will be carried.

v ment of the movable .2

.ing pipe, a branch pip n, and means operable upon movefor varying the"-mount'ot fi'iel. fed by sa d meehani and means operable up move- Inontof s l movable means for rendering; said mechanism operative orinopersnve, substantially as described.

5'. In a fuel hamlling svstein, pipe, a b ECll pipe it n l mallyinoperatise m :hsnism operative for sup iiying; for. l'riouting pipe,movable the passage 0* *Zuel throu and actu nnp' connecti mechanism andtheniova derings .cha mon a distribut- ..e:ins :tor ren-- upon movetopermit pas branch pipe, subsage of fuel through ear. stantially asdescribed. 7

6, In a fuel handling system, a distribut P ted Mere-from. a

chaf 1 e i suppl distributing pipe, movable 1 ling the passage of fuelthrough pipe. FiCillfltilig. connections between v mechanism and themovable means for reodoing said mecl'ianism opeial. 0. upon move ment ofthe movable means to init passage of fuel through said branch pipe. and

'rmally for varying amount ct luel fed by said mechanism in accordancewith position of said movable means, substantas as described.

7. a fuel handli n s pine, a b anch p for SYUL plying 5 fuel throughelectrically conncctii i: wi h s i 'n described.

8. In a fuel handling a distrilnrtin; pipe, a branch pipe lliei'otroni.a normally inoperative moclnmis-"sn cfhacl'i 1 when operative for suplyin i'uel to said distributing pi e, movable 'cneans controll ng thepassage of fuel, through H 1* brancl'i pine, means electricallyconnecting said movable means with s mechanism for rendering e concomiantlv with the movement of said movable I118? and means electricallyCOBHGCtl f said noval'ile and said mechanism ,n- 1 he I anism operativeto tend an amo nt of luel proportional to the movement oi the movablemeans, substantially as descril 9. In a fuel handling system. a

ribut- .ing pipe. a branch pipe ted tl'ieretrom. mechan ism for i'ecdingt el to the distributing ole pec! motor or opcr: a said mechann iscontrolling the flow of fuel through .i I i c. and a resistancereg'z'ulatei' rectly operaca'l by f l valve for controlling the speed ofrotation pipe, a va er the variable speed i'notor, substantially asdescribed. T V

10., In afuel handling systein, a distributing pipe, a branch pipe fedtherefrom, niechanism for 'fGfidlllQ? fuel to the distributing 7 vie avariable soeed motor for oeeratin a, v c l n qsaidinechanism, a valvecontrolling the rlow 4 of fuelthroughi'he branch pipe, QrIFGSlSllflfilCOable means controlling the "passage of meansoperatively connecting eachof .ineans and said inechanisinfor varyingthe id inechanisnr in.

regulator directly operated by said valve for controlling the speed. ofrotation of the variable speed niotonand means for rendering; said motoroperative automatically upon inoveinei'it of the valve from closedposition,

substantially as described.

ii. in a. pulverized fuel handling system, a distributing pipe, aplurality, of

branch pipes adapted to be supplied thereby, mechanism eifectivefcrfeeding fuel to the distributing pipe, independently n'iov p i'uelthrough each of saidbranch pipes, and

amount of fuel fed by accordance with the demands upon the systeni,substantially as described.

12.111 a pulverized. fuel handling system, a distributing pipe, aplurality of branch pipes adapted to be suppliedthereby, mechanismeffective for 'fBECllL Z fuel. to

the distributing pipe, independently nov-i able n'ieans controlling thepassage of fuel through each of said branch pipes, and meanselectricallyconnecting each of said n'ieans and said mechanism forvarying the 'amount of fuel fed by said mechanism in accordance with thedemands upon the sys tein, substantially as described.

3 7.3. in a pulverized fuel handling system, a distributing); pipe, aplu 'ality'of branch pipes l(ll.t '-'-)t6(l to be supplied thereby,mechanism effective for feeding fuel to the distributing pipe,independently movable ineaus controlling the passage of fuel througheach of said branch pipes, and n ieans automatically operable with themovement of any of said movable means irrespective of the pressurein thesystem for varying the amount of fuel fed by said scribed. V

'15. In a pulverized fuel handling sysa distributing line, a pluralityof fuelconsuining devicespfed thereby, independsaid ' velocity throunaeaeee ently movable means controlling the sup ply of fuel. toeach'ofsaid devices, a circulating" blower, a fuel feeding mechanism,

g each of .said

ineaus operativ y connectji indcpc iv )vable is with said iiiechaiusiior varying; theifuel fed bysaid cchanisin in accord nee with thefuelc'on ed by said devices, v i epcndently 'c id by said niechanisin, sulstan-tially as de- ;roll ng the aux-cunt of fuel scribed.-

-16; In a pulverized fuel hai dliugsystern,

an endle s c rculating line, a branch pipe fed the:v

one, mechanism for supplying pulverized iuel to said l ne proportionalto the dein demands upon the system, andineans directly controlled bysaid rnovable nieansfor varying the amount of fuel fed by said ll cllesin, substantially; as described.

17. In, a pulverized fuel handling system,

"an endless circulating line, a branch pipe a normally I inoperative 7fed therefrom, mechanism GffQClZiVG WlEGH operative for suppl pulverizedfuel to said line, Inbvable means controlling the passage of fuel throgh the branch pipe, and means con ands upon the system n'iovable scansin saiu branch pipe "for varying the insane for in U necting saidmechanism and movable means for rendering said mechanism operative uponinovenieiit ofthe movable means to permit passage of fuel through saidbranch pipe, substantially as described. I V

18. A fuel feeding systenii having a continuous circuit through whichfuel and air are circulated, a delivery pipe leadingfrom said circuit,valve means for varying the delivery of-air and fuel through thedelivery pipe, means/for causing the air and fuel to circulate atsubstantially a constant h the circuit, means for admitting: air to thecircuit to compensate for the air passing through the delivery pipe,means for feeding; fuel to circuit, and ontrol means connected to thevalve means for varying; the fuel feed in accordance-With variations inthe valve means, substantially as described.

19, A fuel feeding; systeni having a con-' tinuous circuit through whichfuel and air are circulated, a plurality of delivery pipes leading fromsaid circuit, *alvejnieans associa ed with each delivery pipe forvarying the deiiverv of air and fuel through said delivery pipe,nireai'is for causing the air and fuel to circulate at substantially acircuit, I means for admitting; air to the circuit to compensate for theair passing; through the constant velocity through the delivery pipes,means for feeding fuel to said circuit, and control means connected toeach valve means for varying the fuel feed in, accordance with thevariations in-thevalve m ans, substantially as described.

20. An apparatus for feed ng a constant I 1,4es,9ee

mixture of fuel and air to a furnace whose consumption varies,comprising an endless circulating line, means for circulating themixture through the endless circulatingline at a sufficient velocity tohold the fuel in suspension means for passing some of the mixture fromthe endless circulating line to the furnace, means for controlling theflow 01"? mixture from the endless circulating line to the furnace,means for feeding fuel to the endless circulating line, and connec tionsbetween the means for controlling the flow of mixture to the furnace andthe means for feeding fuel to the endless circulating line, whereby thefeed of the fuel to the endless circulating line is directly Varied bythe Variation in the feed to the furnace and independent of the velocityof the flow or pressure of the m xture in any portion of the endlesscirculating line, there being means for supplying air to the endlesscirculating line at the rate it passes to the furnace, whereby aconstant mix is maintained for supplying the furnace.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 25 my hand.

CECIL F. HERINGTON.

